All new for 2023 is SeaWorld Orlando’s Summer Spectacular which begins on Memorial Day weekend and continues on select dates through the summer.
Formerly known as Electric Ocean, SeaWorld’s Summer Spectacular is held during summer month and typically runs on select nights from Memorial Day weekend to around Labor Day weekend. Guests will enjoy a host of summer themed entertainment with special shows, music, and an end of the night fireworks / light show spectacular.
Like most of SeaWorld special events, Summer Spectacular is not a separately ticketed event and is free to all existing ticket holders, Fun Cards or Annual Pass holders.
SeaWorld Orlando Summer Spectacular
For 2024, the Summer Spectacular at SeaWorld Orlando will run on select nights from May 27th and extend until September 2nd.
This year SeaWorld appears to have scaled back it’s Summer Spectacular, focusing on animal experiences as well as the opening of the all-new Penguin Trek. However, some of the prior year’s still remain.
Ignite Fireworks
The Ignite Fireworks show is one Orlando’s best fireworks shows. With a dazzling display of pyrotechnics, lights / lasers, fountains and music (not to mention fireworks), this show is just not to be missed.
This show can be seen from The Waterfront near the Flamecraft Bar, the Orca Encounter Pathway and Bayside Stadium. Ignite typically begins at either 9:00 PM or 10:00 PM and is held only on Electric Ocean evenings. Check the daily schedule for the time on the day of your visit.
Surf Holiday at Nautilus Theater
All new for 2024 is a live cirque-style show called Xceleration in the Nautilus Theater. This new show features BMX bikers performing gravity defying acts, all set to an intense soundtrack.
Concert Series
Recently announced for 2024 is SeaWorld Orlando’s Bands, Brew & BBQ. which features not only great food and refreshing beverages, but also live music.
This year’s line up is as follows:
- July 6th – Country Airwaves
- July 7th – Queensryche
- July 13th – Bryan Malpass
- July 14th – LOCASH
- July 20th – Classic Airwaves
- July 21st – P.O.D.
- July 27th – Hayfire
- July 28th – MacKenzie Porter
- August 3rd – The Petty Experience
- August 4th – Hunter Hayes
- August 10th – Red Mint
- August 11th – Gabby Barrett
- August 17th – Midnight Rodeo
- August 18th – Quiet Riot
- August 24th – Bo Bice
- August 25th – Tracy Bird
Concerts start at 6:00 PM and held in the Nautilus Theater. All SeaWorld concerts are free with park admission.
Specialty Food & Drinks
Guests will be able to enjoy a number of specialty food and drinks that are available at a number different locations throughout the parks.
- Flamecraft Bar
- Cafe’ de Mar
- Kansas City BBQ
- Sideliners
- Pub Grub
- Carolina BBQ
- Tipsy Twist
- Cookout Cocktails
- Texas BBQ
- St. Augustine Distillery Co. Tasting
- Waterway Bar
- Pretzel Kitchen
- Coca-Cola Fusion
- Beer Garden
- Memphis BBQ
- SeaWorld BBQ
- Glacier Bar
These food and beverage venues are open on select dates from 11:30 AM to park closing.
Club Sea Glow
Everyone loves a glow party so starting at 8:00 PM at Bayside Stadium during Electric Ocean dates is Club Sea Glow. Guests will enjoy a high energy party featuring a live DJ, dancers and performers while waiting for the fireworks to start.
Prior Years Electric Ocean Celebrations
Prior years Electric Ocean featured a number of summer themed entertainment and shows which really were fun to see. These included:
- Shamu’s Celebration: Light Up the Night
- Touch the Sky (Dolphin Show)
- Sea Lions Tonite
- Club Sea Glow
- IGNITE Fireworks and Fountains Spectacular
- Live Concerts
Shamu’s Celebration – Light Up the Night
Shamu’s “LIGHT UP THE NIGHT” is a high energy show features a number of SeaWorld’s famous Orcas (killer whales) performing to amazing music and a spectacular light show.
Watch our video of the FINAL Light up the Night show on January 1, 2019.
Back in 2016 SeaWorld announced that it is planning to close the Orca (killer whale) shows due to pressure from a number of animal protection groups.
The Shamu show has been one of the centerpieces of the SeaWorld parks since originally debuting in the 1960s at the San Diego park. If this is truly the end of the Shamu show in its entirety, you should make the time to visit SeaWorld this summer as the 2019 “Light Up the Night” show could very well be the last summer show for Shamu and the Orcas.
Touch the Sky Dolphin (Show)
Touch the Sky is a wonderful show that features SeaWorld’s amazing dolphins. Unlike the Orca shows at SeaWorld, trainers actually get in the water and perform with the dolphins which makes for a truly amazing show. Both the dolphins and the trainers really look like they are having a great time performing for the audience.
Beyond the dolphins there is a little twist with a number of exotic birds flying over the crowd towards the end of the show. They do get pretty close so don’t pick up your hands when they are flying over you.
IGNITE Fireworks & Fountains Spectacular
And to cap off the night is the fireworks & fountains spectacular called “IGNITE”. Ignite is one of the best fireworks shows in all of the Florida theme parks. From amazing music to brilliant colors of the of the sea & sky, this show is not to be missed.
So take up a seat at Bayside Stadium at 9:30 pm and enjoy the show. On weekend nights the park gets crowded so try and get there early for a great spot. If the wind is blowing and you are near the water, prepare to get wet as those fountains spray quite a long ways into the air.
POP Bubble Show
One of the Electric Ocean shows which is no longer featured is the POP Bubble Show staring bubble master Fan Yang. This show is truly a kids dream with amazing bubbles, lights music and lasers. Fan Yang is also quite a character and very funny but that should not be surprising from a man that has made a career in blowing bubbles. And at the end of the show, you will be fully immersed in a sea of bubbles.
Let’s hope that SeaWorld brings this show back for another round of bubble magic! Not only is it a great show, but a nice break from the summer heat in central Florida. As it is inside within the Nautilus Theatre, the show runs in any weather so when the typical afternoon storms come rolling through, that’s a great time to see this show.
Where to stay for when visiting SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld does not have an true “on site” hotels but there are a number of Official SeaWorld Orlando hotels and SeaWorld Partner hotels in the immediate area. For a full list of these properties, CLICK HERE.
Our favorite hotel when staying at SeaWorld is the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld. This hotel is amazing with over 750 rooms surrounding a 10 story lobby / atrium, huge pool area with kids splash park and a number of great formal and casual dining options. We did a complete hotel video tour and review which you can find by CLICKING HERE.
The Renaissance is right across the street from SeaWorld and it is just a short walk across the parking area. Since it is an Official SeaWorld Hotel, you get a complimentary one time Quick Queue pass which lets you bypass the long lines on a number of the best rides.
Typically you can find rooms at the Renaissance for less than $150 per night plus tax but resort fees and parking can exceed more than $50 a night. So if that is out of your budget, be sure to check the rates and availability on the many other “Official” and “Partner” hotels at SeaWorld Orlando.
